Political observers believe that the Conference of the Four Arab Leaders in Cairo will be the most critical conference held during this decisive period through which the Arab world is passing in its struggle to achieve its goals. A large number of representatives of newspapers and news agencies from various parts of the world arrived in Cairo to provide their outlets with reports on this important conference.
The issues expected to be discussed included:
• The Arab position toward the Eisenhower Doctrine, in light of the messages carried by King Saud.
• The question of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gaza Strip, and the issue of Israel’s withdrawal from Egyptian territory.
• The question of North Africa, especially Algeria, its exploitation, and the idea of linking the Arab countries of North Africa through agreements, a union, or a league.
• The abrogation of the Jordanian–British Treaty and the approval of Arab states to provide financial assistance.
Lieutenant General Abdel Hakim Amer, Commander of the Joint Arab Forces, visited His Majesty King Saud at the Guest Palace. The meeting lasted half an hour, during which the commander briefed His Majesty on the military measures that would be taken against Israel should it insist on refusing to withdraw from Egyptian territory.
He also informed him of the assistance being provided to the Government of Yemen to prevent British attacks on its territory. His Majesty thanked the commander for his efforts on behalf of the Arab forces.
Sixteen members participated in the first meeting:
Saudi Delegation:
His Majesty King Saud, Prince Musaad bin Abdulrahman (the King’s uncle and President of the Grievances Bureau), and Sheikh Yusuf Yassin.
Syrian Delegation:
President Shukri al‑Quwatli, Sabri al‑Asali, Khalid al‑Azm, and Salah al‑Din al‑Bitar.
Jordanian Delegation:
His Majesty King Hussein, Suleiman al‑Nabulsi, Saeed al‑Mufti, Hikmat al‑Masri, Bahjat al‑Talhouni, and Abdel Halim al‑Nimr.
Egyptian Delegation:
President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Lieutenant General Abdel Hakim Amer, and Ali Sabri.
Resolutions of the Four‑Nation Meetings
The participants agreed that, despite the United Nations resolutions and the overwhelming global public opinion calling for Israel’s withdrawal behind the armistice lines, the Tripartite Aggression against Egypt was still ongoing in all its effects and manifestations so long as Israel refused to implement the UN resolutions and withdraw unconditionally.
They also agreed that the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip at the hands of Israel—enduring the harshest forms of persecution and torture—posed a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East.
Therefore, the participants resolved the following:
1. To work for Israel’s immediate withdrawal behind the armistice lines without any conditions.
2. To uphold the full rights of the Arabs of Palestine and the sovereignty of the Arabs over their lands and territorial waters.
3. To require that Egypt be compensated by the aggressor states for all damages and losses resulting from the aggression.
4. To reject all attempts aimed at diminishing Egypt’s sovereignty and rights over the Suez Canal, as the canal is an inseparable part of Egypt, and its sovereignty over it is complete. Freedom of navigation is guaranteed according to the Convention of Constantinople of 1888.
5. To condemn the British aggression against Yemen and to express solidarity with Yemen in resisting this aggression.
6. To express absolute support for the right of the Algerian people to freedom and independence, and to praise their heroic struggle against colonial forces.
Source: Saud in America — by Muhammad Sallah.